Oh, my, we have things to examine today. From circus acts to cinema with dogs and cats and a chef in between.
HEADS UP: TIME OUT. CALLING AN AUDIBLE. SOMETHING MUST HAVE WORKED, or as Rosanne Roseanna-Danna used to say, "Never mind." Seems that the circus item was removed from the city council agenda.
So find something else to talk to your council member about -- potholes, going no-kill at the city shelter?....Anyway, here's the original item:
The folks at the Metroplex Animal Coalition are gathering steam for a bit of a protest at the Dallas City Council meeting Wednesday, reports MAC Prez Elaine Munch. (Go to www.metroplexanimalcoalition.com.)
Seems the council is considering exempting "in-state circuses" from the ban on exhibiting "prohibited animals" in the city. Allowing such exhibits would, MAC says, "add more duties to an already overburdened Animal Services staff." The MAC site has an explanation of the proposal and phone numbers and e-mails for Dallas council members.
That list might be a good thing to printout and keep around the house in Big D -- not that anybody ever has a complaint about the way the city is being run.
And, frankly, there are enough loose animals on the streets around here without having to worry about some goofball accidentally setting free a clatter of howler monkeys to rampage through the city. Or, geez, what if the RV that doubles as some nitwit's roadside snake museum turned over and set loose a load of Gaboon Vipers?
Worst case scenarios? Not really. Remember when the poor gorilla got out of the Dallas Zoo exhibit and the time a couple of years ago when a guy at an apartment complex in Dallas "lost" a cobra? If something can go wrong in Dallas, it will.
IMMENSE PRESSURE: Let's gather some sympathy this morning for people who are working for the big paper in Dallas -- for the time being. Ugly tales of buyouts and layoffs are shaking the foundations of the building like Marley's Ghost rattled Scrooge's bedroom.
Such pressure is awful, as many of you know. It's difficult to keep your mind on the task at hand when you wonder if a "friendly visit" by a supervisor is a prelude to a farewell, or, more accurately, a prelude to "You don't fit our genius plan for the future. Get out of the building. You're costing us money."
No known connection, but since the last round of layoffs (Oct. 2004 -- I was one of 'em), circulation has dropped, the stock's price has dropped and -- well, why go on? The known problems are well-documented.
When you are a journalist, your first loyalty is to the truth -- it is an honorable mission that, when done correctly and courageously, keeps the bad guys from permanently taking over your neighborhood or your nation.
But nobody's ever really figured out a way to keep the bad guys from taking over the company -- they may get their due in the aftermath (Enron, Tyco), but before that, these "gifted people" are free to wreck lives, ruin marriages, make families sell their homes, derail kids' college plans, etc., all for the sake of trying to look like genius businessmen riding to the rescue. And, all the while, keeping their own jobs and benefits and bonuses, etc., or, maybe even trading up in an world gone nuts.
Indeed, there may not have been anything to rescue anyone from in the first place if the geniuses hadn't run amok and create unnecessarily irreversible situations by use of poor judgment or greedy actions. Sometimes you get the feeling that they apply the theory of "If it ain't broke, break it so you can show how smart we are by fixing it."
Here's the deal: When you sign on as a reporter, they give you a spelling test, a grammar test, sometimes a writing test. When you sign on in a higher capacity, the only tests you may have to pass are drug and DNA.
Everybody else is at risk. So, bless the hearts of all those who are working hard because they are noble and just trying to make an honest buck while doing the right thing. To those doing all the genius-level thinking, no doubt you'll be able to sleep nights. Not to get Shakespearean, but, go ahead and sleep, perchance to dream.
A DOG IN NEED: Every now and then a dog winds up in a city shelter and, for some reason, touches the heart of a city worker. This dog -- no name yet and isn't that a shame -- is one of those dogs.
We were tipped to her plight by Jacki Scott, a volunteer with the Frisco Humane Society. Jacki says the pup's "nose has been bitten or torn off. She looks like a possible pit mix or boxer mix. ... Not many rescue groups will take pit mixes. She is at the Fort Worth shelter and Ginger Leach, the ACO, said she hasn't gotten any interest in her for adoption or from rescue. I can't imagine how this puppy must feel with her nose being like that. I posted a donation offer to the rescue network and still no one has offered to take this pup.
"Would you be willing to post her on your website for adoption and/or to help raise money for medical treatment in hopes that someone would step up and offer to take her?"
OK, there's the note. Here's the info. You can reach Jacki at [email protected]. To reach Ginger Leach, e-mail mailto:[email protected] or call 817-392-3737 ext. 1865 or punch in 1830/1831 to page.
OH, MY GOODNESS: As regular readers know, we have a particularly soft spot in our hearts for cocker spaniels -- our Inky is one of the cuddly rascals. And the fellow in this mugshot is an adoptable cocker named Bruiser Joe.
Here's a note from Beverly Miles at DFW Cocker Spaniel Rescue.
"We took in a dog who had mange and whose original owners poured motor oil on him as they heard somewhere that would take care of the mange. Needless to say, it didn't cure the mange and probably damaged his eyes. ... Fortunately, he's got a ton of personality and has been adopted."
Scruffy, according to the doctor's report, is now blind in his right eye because oil entered the interior. His left eye, the doc says, is likely to recover from his current near-blindness.
Beverly asks a question that bears repeating, "Don't you think volunteering for many hours/weeks/months at an animal shelter would do wonders for these people? Or would it just make them meaner?"
I just don't know. I used to like to think that almost anyone could get smarter. I'm starting to wonder. And, I'm starting to think some people just can't get any meaner than they already are.
Visit www.dfwcockerrescue.8m.com and you can see how to help foster these cockers or how to adopt them. Bruiser Joe is on the list of adoptables.
COOKING UP A VEGGIESTORM: Our pal Jeanette Prasifka, executive chef and owner of Crosby Cafe & Catering, is going to teach her kitchen magic on July 1. Yep, she's offering a class -- finally demonstrating her carefully guarded secret recipes and techniques (I may be overselling that part, but I know how some chefs just don't want the world to know "all" the secrets).
The class is from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at Good Samaritan Episcopal Church, 1522 Highland Road in Dallas.
Many of you have sampled Jeanette's vegetarian dishes at assorted animal events around town. She has this cheesecake recipe that will knock a fat man's socks off -- believe me, at the Operation Kindness Canines, Cats & Cabernet celebration a couple of years ago I became a sockless fat man. (You have to register for the classes by 5 p.m. Thursday. Call 214-770-5573 or e-mail [email protected].)
Among the dishes that'll be taught: green gazpacho, traditional gazpacho, tropical gazpacho and a strawberry spinach salad. Cool summer taste treats.
AND FROM IRVING: This is kind of a rotten story that deserves a happy ending. it comes from Russell Posch, the "independent rescuer" who keeps an eye on things at the Irving Animal Shelter. This cattle dog is Daisy. She's 10. Her owner left her and her 7-year-old dachshund "companion," Butch, at the shelter last Monday. Butch was adopted last week, leaving Daisy alone, possibly for the first time in her life. The person who dumped Daisy says she's good with kids, dogs and cats, Russell reports. He adds that her "disposition day" is Thursday -- and I think you folks know what "disposition" means. Ugly, isn't it.
Here's how much uglier it is, according to Russell. The euthanization starts at 8 a.m. -- the shelter doesn't open until 9:30 a.m.
The Irving shelter's phone number is 972-721-2256. The shelter is at 100 N. Briery Road, just east of the intersection of Belt Line Road and Rock Island Road.
FROM OUT AT THE LAKE: We have a dog and a bunch of cats to spotlight today, thanks to the folks at Friends of the Animals at Cedar Creek Lake.
Buddy, a deaf, white boxer, needs a new home. He's six months old, "very loving and sweet," they say, and does well with kids and other dogs, but not so swell with cats.
(Call Pat Hawkins at 903-887-8358, 903-603-0632 or 903-887-5423 or e-mail [email protected]. If a dog inspires that many phone numbers, he's got to be worth the drive for a "meet-n-greet.")
Speaking of cats, the Lakefolk send a note that there have been 16 cats (including two mommas with kittens) that need foster homes.
And there's Charlie (lounging in the cage), who is about 5 months old and needs a home.
There are so many cats that I can't possibly outline all of their assorted attributes and needs here, so enjoy the photos and do what you can. (Call Erin at 214-642-5177 or e-mail [email protected].) SPEAKING OF CAT-LIKE MOVES: Radio personality and sports genius Norm Hitzges from The Ticket (1310-AM) will be at Dick's Last Resort near the American Airline Center from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wedneday to do a live broadcast of the NBA draft. Perhaps the Mavericks can get someone who'll be able to hit 3j-point shots in tense playoff conditions. Or, heck, under playoff conditions, someone who can hit just a 2-point shot.
